Rotary switch



Sept. 23, 1941. G. c. FULLMER ROTARY SWITCH Filed Aug. 4, 1938 Ill , ATTORNEYS.

Patented Sept. 23, 1941 ROTARY SWITCH Giles C. Fullmer, Bridgeport, Conn., assigner to The Bridgeport Metal. Goods Manufacturing Company, Bridgeport, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application` August 4, 1938, Serial No. 223,034

9 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in switches and has particular relation to a rotary switch vfor flashlights.

An object ofthe invention is to provide a dashlight switch constructed to permit of flashing of the light on reciprocation of the switch a-nd also to close theA light circuit and retain it closed for the purpose of having the flashlight provide a steady light on' a rotary movement being imparted to an exposed portion of the switch.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein satisfactory embodiments of the invention are shown. However, it is to'be understood that the invention is not limited to the details disclosed but includes all such variations and modifications as fall within the spirit of the invention and the scope ofthe appended claims.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view showing a ashlight with my invention applied thereto, parts being broken away to show details of construction;

Fig. 2 is-an enlarged side elevational View of a portion of a switch means employed;

Fig. 3 is an end view of said switch means;

Fig. 4 is an end view of a cup-shaped stationary contact employed;

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of the contact of Fig. 4, a part being broken away;

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of a member used in .the mounting and operation of the switch means of Fig. 2, a portion of the member being broken away;

Fig. '7 is an endelevational view of the member of Fig. 6 and looking from the left of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is an elevational view of the inner end of the switch prior to being mounted on the flashlight and showing the normal relation of the parts or the relation of the parts when the flashlight circuit is open;

Fig. 9 is a View similar to Fig. 8 but showing the relation of the parts when the switch is closed to have the flashlight give a steady light;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged detailed sectional vview showing the switch contact parts when in the positions of Fig. 9;

Fig. l1 is a view similar to Fig. l0 but showing the parts as positioned'in Fig. 8;

Fig. l2 is a view similar to Figs. 10 and 11 but showing the relation of the parts when the switch is in a position intermediate those shown in Figs. 10and 11;

Fig. 13 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in section and showing a slight modiiication;

Fig. 14 is a view similar a slight modification; and

Fig. l5 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in section of the contact of Fig. 14.

Referring in detail to the drawing the flashlight shown includes a metal casing IB which may be provided with a holding clip II. Within the casing are batteries I2 for energizing the bulb to Fig. 4 but showing I3 held in an assembly comprising a cup I4 and vacap I5 into which the cup is threaded. The forward end portion of the cap I5 extends inwardly as at IB to engage the bulb and hold the base of the latter against the inner end of the cup` I4. An opening through the forward end of the cap provides for the passage of light from the bulb and an opening in the inner end oi the cup pro-V a movable switch means ZI adapted to cooperate with said cup as will appear. Cup 20 is formed of metal and is fixed in the rear end portion of the casing as by having a forced fit therein, or it may be threaded or soldered in place. If desired a spring tongue 22 (Figs, 3 and 5) may be lanced from the cup to engage the wall of the casing to assist in holding the cup in place. An opening 23 is provided centrally in the inner end wall 24 of the cup, and entering such opening is a radially extending opening or slot 25. About the outer end of the cup is a bead 26 which serves to secure a member to the cup as will later be described.

The switch means 2I (Figs. 2 and 3) comprises a stem 21 and a contact element or elongated flange 28 arranged toward the inner end of the stem. Inwardly oi the contact element 28 the stem 21 is provided with a button-like lug or extension 29 undercut as at 30. Means 2| is mounted by a member 3| and has reciprocating movement relative to such member and is rotatable with the member. metal shell 32 within which is located a body 33 Member 3I includes a of insulating material, such for example as Bakelite or similar material.

Shell 32 may have its outer surface knurled or otherwise roughened at 34 to facilitate turning and is provided with an external bead 35 received in the bead 26 of the cup 20 whereby the member 3| is attached tothe cup but may be rotated relative thereto. The dotted lines 26G- in Fig. 5 suggest the manner in which the cup and member are secured to one another and from such figure it will be understood that before the metal of the cup is bent into the bead 23 the member 3| is partly inserted into the cup and that thereafter the upper edge portion 23a of the cup is bent in about the bead 35 of the shell 32 thereby forming the bead 26.

An opening 36 extends entirely through the member 3| to form a guide for member 2|, and in its inner end (see Fig. '7) the body 33 is provided with equally spaced notches 3l, 38, 39 and 40 arranged radially of the opening 33 and with an enlarged recess 4| extending at both sides of theopening 36 and aligned with the notches 38 and 40. Recess 4| is of the shape and size of the contact element 2|?. and norm-ally receives said element as shown in Fig. 1.V The opening 32a. of the metaly shell member 32 is larger than the stem 2'| vsoY the shell does not touch this stem and ground it on the casing.

When the member'3l is assembled with the cup 2|] the extension 29 of the switch means 2| projects through the opening 23 in the inner wall of the cup.` A coil spring 42 is attached to the means 2| as by having its innermost coil disposed about the button-like extension 29. The spring 42 isY of such a length that when the cup is as sembled on the casing I the said spring 42 is in engagement with the inner end or casing of the battery l2 and is also compressed. However, the switch means 2| is spaced and insulated from the cup 20 (the opening 23 in the end wall of the cup being'larger than the neck 2`|a of member 2|) andthe Ycasing |41 so that the iashlightV circuit is normally open, the spring 42 servingto retain the switch means 2| in the position of Fig. 1 with the contact element 23 thereof in the recess 4| of the body 33 and spaced from and therefore out of Contact with the end wall 24 of the cup.

With the arrangement' thus far described it will be apparent that on pressure being applied to the projecting outer end of the stem 21 the entire switchy means 2| may be pressed inwardly relativeY to the member 3| whereby to bring the contact element'28 into engagement with the inner wall 24 of the cup 2D. Since the spring 42 is engaged with the switch means and with the casing (one element) of the battery it will be understood that whenever the contact element 28 engages the cup the flashlight circuit will be closed andthe bulb I3 will be energized. Immediately the stem v2l is released the spring 42 will function to return the switch means 2| to its normal position opening the flashlight circuit. Thus by reciprocating the switch means 2| the ashlight circuit may be alternately made and broken to flash-the light.

AThe Amember 3| is made rotatable relative to the cup 20 and the switch means 2| is mounted to rotate lwith such member in order that the cirv cuit of the bulb |3 ymay be closed and left closed whereby to have such bulb give a steady light Whenssuchis wanted. For the purpose of closing the flashlight circuit in the manner suggested theV cup 20 is provided with a spring contact element or tongue 43 shown in Fig. 4 as riveted to the bottom wall 24 of the cup at 44. Contact 43 has a laterally bent portion providing a lug or projection 45 extending through the slot 25 in the wall 24 of the cup. A

Normallylthe lug 45 of the spring contact or tongue 43 is located in either the notch 31 or the notch 39 and is not in engagement with the contact element 28 the parts being positioned as in Fig. 8. Under such conditions the projection or lug 45 as it seats in a notch or recess in the insulation prevents casual rotation of the member 3| relative to the cup 20, and while the spring 42 normally keeps the contact element 23 away from the bottom wall of the cup 23 it will be clear that the switch means 2| may be manually pressed inwardly to bring the element 2B into engagement with the cup to close the flashlight circuit.

When a steady light is desired the member 3| is rotated in the cup 20 and the switch means 2| moves with the member. On the member being given one-quarter revolution the parts will be related as shown in Figs. 9 and 10 wherein it will be noted that the projection 45 has entered the notch 39 in the inner end of the body 33 and is engaging the contact element 28 whereby the flashlight circuit is closed and the bulb I3 will burn steadily until the member 3| is again rotated. As the projection 45 is in a notch or recess in the insulation it will coact with the sides of the recess to prevent casual turning of the member 3| and maintain the switch in the on position. The contact element 43 being of spring metal will yield to permit of the rotation of the member 3| and the switch means 2|, and in Fig. 12 the element is shown flexed as when the member 3| is in a position where none of the notches 31, 3B, 39 and 4U is in register with the projection 45 of the element, such projection in the mentioned figure being on a land between a pair of such notches.

' From the above it will be understood that with the arrangement shown, there beingrfour of the notches 31, 38, 39 and 40 all equally spaced, that for each quarter turn of the member 3| (the switch means 2| moving with such member) the flashlight circuit will be alternately closed and opened. The cup 2i) with its spring member 43 forms a stationary contact of the switch while the member 2| with its element 28 forms a movable contact. Obviously the construction may be varied as there may be more or less of the notches whereby to have the circuit broken and madelas the result of any predetermined rotary movement of the member 3|.

Whenever the member 3| is positioned to have the projection 45 enter either the notch 38 or the notch 40 the said projection will be in engagement with the contact element 28 and the flashlight circuit will be closed. Y When the projection is against the element 28 as when it is in one of the notches 3l or 39 the circuit is open and it serves to prevent casual rotation of the Y member 3| and switch means 2|.

member 43 may be used in place of the two piece' includes a bead 50. corresponding with the bead- 26 of: cup 20 and in place of the spring tongue t3 of. the figures rst described` cup 4S at the side of its central' opening 5| has a tongue like spring contact portion 52.1anced therefrom andfa portion of such arm, toward its free end, is bent laterally providing a lug or projection 53 correspondingwith andfor the same purpose as the lug.

45 on the tongue the cup 49 may be described'.

Havingthus set forththe'nature of my invention,rwhatl1 claim is:

l. In a switch of the character described, a member of insulating material, means mounting said member for rotary movement, said member having an. opening therethrough and a notch in its inner end, a' switch means including a stem passing through said opening and a contact element at the inner side of said member and normally disposed in said notch whereby the switch means is rotatable with said member, a contact means inwardly of the inner end of said member, said stem adapted to be pressed inwardly to move said contact element inwardly inte engagement with said Contact means to close the circuit, a spring to return said switch means to normal position on release of said stem, and said contact means including a portion located in the path of rotary movement of said contact element whereby as said member is given a predetermined rotary movement the circuit will be closed.

2. In a ashlight, a member of insulating material, means mounting said member for rotary movement, said member having an opening therethrough and notches in its inner end, a switch means including a stem passing through said opening and a contact element at the inner end of said member and normally disposed in one of said notches whereby the means is rotatable with said member, a contact means inwardly of the inner end of said member, said stem adapted to be pressed inwardly to move said contact element inwardly into engagement with said contact means to close the flashlight circuit, a spring to return said switch means to no'rmal position on release of said stem, said contact means including a portion located in the path of rotary movement of said contact element whereby as said member is given a predetermined rotary movement the flashlight circuit will be closed, and said portion of the contact means arranged to cooperate with said notches in the member to prevent casual rotation of the latter.

3. In a flashlight, a member of insulating material, means mounting said member for rotary movement, said member having an opening therethrough and notches in its inner end, a switch means including a stem passing through said opening and a contact element at the inner end of said member and normally disposed in one of said notches whereby the switch means is rotatable with said member, a contact means inwardly of the inner end of said member, said stem adapted to be pressed inwardly to move said contact element inwardly into engagement with said contact means to close the flashlight circuit, a spring to return said switch means to normal 43 aboveA described. Obviously substituted for the cup 2U iirst position. on release of said stem, a spring tongue contact carried by said contact means and extendingtoward said member andnormally entering one of the notches in the inner end thereof whereby said, member is held against casual rotary movement, and said tongue adapted to be engaged by said contact element to thereby close the flashlight circuit on a predetermined rotary movement of said member and contact element.

4. In a flashlight, a stationary switch contact, a movable switch contact, means mounting said movable Contact on, the stationary contact for reciprocating and rotary movements, said movable contact being manually movable in one direction. to engage saidv stationary contact and close the flashlight circuit, a spring operable on release of the movable contact to return it to a normalv retracted position spaced from the stationary contact, a projection on the stationary contact normally out of engagement with the movable contact, and said projection being arranged in the path of movement of a portion of the movable contact while the movable contact is in its said normal retracted position to be engaged' by said movable contact on predetermined rotation of the latter whereby to close the flashlight circuit.

5. In a switch of the character described, a contact of a shape for mounting it on a support, a movable contact, means mounting said second contact on the rst contact for reciprocating and rotary movements, means whereby as said second contact is reciprocated it moves to and from engagement with the first contact so that the circuit is alternately closed and opened, means tending to move the second contact away from the first contact to a normal retracted position and to retain it therein, and means whereby on a predetermined rotary movement of the second contact the circuit is closed while this contact remains in its said normal retracted position and remains closed until said second contact is given another rotary movement.

6. In a flashlight, a movable switch contact having a normal retracted position in which the flashlight circuit is open, a stationary contact, means mounting said iirst contact on the second contact for reciprocating movement, means whereby as said rst contact is reciprocated it moves to and from engagement with the second contact so that the flashlight circuit is alternately closed and opened, a spring for imparting the circuit opening part of reciprocating movement to said movable contact to shift it to its said normal retracted position, means mounting said movable contact for rotary movement while it remains in said normal retracted position, and means whereby on a predetermined rotary movement of said movable contact while in its normal retracted position the ashlight circuit is closed and remains closed until said Contact is given another rotary movement.

7. A switch of the character described comprising a unit assembly including a contact, means mounting said contact for reciprocating and rotary movements, a stationary contact in said assembly, means whereby as said first contact is reciprocated it moves to and from engagement with the stationary contact so that the circuit is alternately closed and opened, means for retaining said movable contact in its normal retracted position out of engagement with the stationary Contact, means whereby on a predetermined rotary movement of the contact the circuit is closed while said contact remains in its normal retracted position and remains closed until said contact is given another rotary movement, and means preventing Vcasual rotary movement of said contact, said unit assembly being shaped for telescoping engagement with one end of a supporting means for mounting it thereon as a unit.

8. In a ilashlight, a unit assembly of a shape to be mounted as such on a support by telescoping engagement therewith and including a movable switch contact having a normal position in which the flashlight circuit is open, means mounting said contact for reciprocating movement, a stationary contact mounted to engage the support, means whereby as the movable contact is reciprocated, it moves to and from engagement with the second contact so that the flashlight circuit is alternately closed and opened, a spring for imparting the circuit opening portion of said reciprocating movement of the contact to shift it to a normal retracted position and forming an electrical conductor to said contact, means mounting said rst contact for rotary movement, means'whereby on a predetermined rotary movement of the contact while it remains in its said normal retracted position the flashlight circuit is closed and remains closed until said contact is given another rotary movement, and means preventing casual rotary movement of said contact.

9. In a flashlight, a switch comprising a metal cup to be mounted in a support and in engagement therewith, a member of insulating material rotatable in said cup, a switch Contact mounted by said member for reciprocating movement relative thereto and for rotary movement therewith, a spring forming an electrical conductor to said movable switch contact, said contact connected with said spring and normally held against reciprocating movement thereby, said contact being manually movable in one direction against the action of said spring to engage the cup and thereby close the ashlight circuit, said spring thereafter adapted on release of the contact to complete the reciprocating movement thereof and open the flashlight circuit, and means whereby on predetermined rotation of said member said contact is bodily rotated into electrical engagement with the cup and remains in such engagement until manually moved therefrom.

` GILES C. FULLMER. 

